Native frangipani Hymenosporum flavum
Native frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Pittosporaceae family, native to Eastern Australia and New Guinea. It grows 6–12 m (20–39 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
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Native frangipani at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Pittosporaceae |
| Mature height | 6–12 m (20–39 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about October for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern Australia and New Guinea |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Native frangipani toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Native frangipani
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Native frangipani
- How far apart should I plant Native frangipani?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Native frangipani need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Native frangipani need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Native frangipani?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Native frangipani flower?
- From about October for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Native frangipani poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Native frangipani?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Native frangipani. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Narrow tree for small gardens; flowers open cream and age to yellow, with a sweet honey scent in spring.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Tarata (lemonwood) Pittosporum eugenioides
- Kōhūhū Pittosporum tenuifolium
- Japanese mock orange (pittosporum) Pittosporum tobira
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Japanese maple Acer palmatum
- Black walnut Juglans nigra
- English yew Taxus baccata
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis